5 Best Alcohol-Free Hair Conditioners Of 2024 To Banish The Dryness!
Gently formulated products to give your hair the balanced moisture it always needs.
Jill Turnbull is an internationally acclaimed freelance hairstylist, colorist, and makeup artist with over 47 years of experience. She founded her own beauty brand and her work has been featured in editorial magazines worldwide.Jill is also a highly sought-after educator, renowned for her direct, meticulous, and modern approach to hair, makeup, and styling for fashion shoots and advertising campaigns.
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Experience: 3 yearsKrati is an associate commerce editor, a certified skin care coach, and a beauty enthusiast. She has a master’s degree in advertising and publishing relations from DAVV University and three years of experience in writing and editing for different niches.
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Experience: 5 yearsMedha Deb is a commerce editor with a master's degree in applied linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, which has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts. She specializes in the areas of beauty, health, and wellness and is committed to ensuring that the content on the website is of the highest quality.
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Experience: 4 yearsShiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.
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Alcohol is a common ingredient used across most hair care products today, which leaves your hair dry and brittle. It strips your hair of all necessary nutrients and does more damage than good to your healthy hair. The solution to this problem is to buy one of the best alcohol-free conditioners out there. They not only fight dryness but also retain the moisture in your hair, making it soft and shiny. Scroll down further to look at the list of alcohol-free conditioners with multiple reviews that we have compiled for you!
In This Article
What Are Alcohol-free Conditioners?
First thing first, the alcohol used in conditioners and for disinfecting wounds are not the same. The one in conditioners contains unsaturated fatty acids that help retain the natural moisture of your scalp and hair. However, they are ideal for healthy or oily scalps only. Using these alcohol-based conditioners on dry scalp or hair may worsen the dryness considering there is no moisture to retain and may result in damaging your scalp. Hence, people with dryness or damaged hair problems are advised to use alcohol-free conditioners.
Now, are you ready to add one to your hair care routine? Check out our list of the 5 best alcohol-free conditioners of 2024 for you below!
Read on to know more!
Top 5 Best Alcohol-Free Conditioners For Healthy And Beautiful Hair (with Reviews)
1. Best For All Hair Types: Shea Moisture Strengthen & Restore Conditioner
The Shea Moisture Strengthen & Restore Conditioner combats frizz and softens and gently detangles your hair. The enriching power of this deep conditioner comes from its ingredients like Jamaican black castor oil, peppermint, and shea butter that nourish and moisturize your hair. This anti-frizz hydrating conditioner helps detangle the hair without weighing it down. This shea butter conditioner has a softening and shine-enhancing formula that is safe for color-treated hair and perfect for those who style their hair regularly. If you want to know more about this hydrating and detangling alcohol-free conditioner for easy combing and styling, check out this video on YouTube that provides insight into the tester’s experience with this product for frizzy hair.
Pros
- Suitable for all hair types
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Silicone-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Petrolatum-free
Cons
- None
Pro Tip
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product is so liked by shoppers that it has gained over 1,295 great reviews on Amazon.
2. Best For Damaged And Brittle Hair: Bioken M72 Ceramide Leave-In Treatment
Rejuvenate your hair with this moisturizing conditioner- Bioken M72 Ceramide Leave-In Treatment. It is a lightweight conditioning spray treatment that gives your hair all the nourishment it deserves to be healthy. Several reviewers love this nourishing formula that contains 72 kinds of trace essential minerals to help repair, detangle, moisturize, and make your hair feel soft and manageable. The pH-balanced formula of this moisture-balancing repair conditioner is also infused with aloe vera, calendula, green tea, chamomile, rosemary, and ginseng, which help prevent split ends and provide rejuvenating hair treatment to dull and lifeless locks. In addition, the repair and protective conditioner smoothes and strengthens hair cuticles by creating a protective layer that protects your hair during thermal heat styling. Moreover, this sulfate-free and alcohol-free conditioner for gentle cleansing and conditioning is safe to be used on color-treated and chemically-treated hair.
Pros
- No build-up
- Prevents frizz
- Ideal for heat styling
- Suitable for colored hair
- Refreshing fragrance
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Gluten-free
Cons
- None
"This leave-in-conditioner adds a healthy volume to my hair. It tames frizzy strands and enhances the vibrancy of my hair’s natural color. It prevents heat damage, so I can use it with my heat products. I like that it does not weigh down my hair. My hair feels soft and looks healthy after using it."
Did You Know?3. Best For Improving Manageability: Ginger Milk BE HONEST Leave-In Conditioner
Packed with the goodness of botanical actives, the Ginger Milk Be Honest leave-in conditioner is worth a try for dry, dehydrated, and dull hair. This UV-protecting conditioner is a unique blend of potent antioxidants and vitamins extracted from potent ingredients like sunflower extract, rice bran extract, shea butter, rosemary oil, grape seed extract, ginger extract, and jojoba oil. These ingredients’ antioxidant properties help protect your hair from damage caused by harsh chemical treatments, heat styling, or environmental aggressors. In addition, the formula enhances the health of your hair by providing much-needed nourishment and hydration that seal and smoothen hair, leaving it feeling soft and shiny. Multiple reviewers are impressed by the product’s lightweight formula that nourishes your without weighing it down. Opt for this botanical-infused alcohol-free conditioner for a soothing and refreshing experience.
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Salt-free
- Sulfate-free
- Lightweight formula
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Suitable for all hair types
- Easy to use
- Easy application pump nozzle
Cons
- None
Pro TipShea Moisture Strengthen & Restore Conditioner Best For All Hair Types | Bioken M72 Ceramide Leave-In Treatment Best For Damaged And Brittle Hair | Ginger Milk BE HONEST Leave-In Conditioner Best For Improving Manageability | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hair Type | Curly | Textured | All |
| Dimensions | 2.68 x 2.68 x 6.45 inches | 11 x 3 x 3 inches | 3 x 6 x 9 inches |
| Weight | 13 Ounces | 5 Ounces | 1 Pounds |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 1,295 | - | - |
| Price | $8.97 | $24.95 | $20 |
4. Best For Color-Treated Hair: THEORIE Pure Ultra Gentle Hypoallergenic Conditioner
The Theorie Pure Ultra Gentle Hypoallergenic Conditioner is formulated with plant extracts that condition your hair shaft deeply. The smoothing conditioner is ideal for the itchy and sensitive scalp as it has essential nutrients and aloe vera to soothe your skin. The nutrient-rich formula has potent ingredients and essential oils such as marula oil, argan oil, sesame oil, and grapeseed oil that nourish your scalp, hydrate your hair, add shine, and keep it healthy. Its ability to treat scalp irritation without drying out the hair has garnered positive reviews online. You can use this gentle alcohol-free oil-based conditioner for sensitive scalp and hair, delicate or distressed hair, and color-treated or keratin-treated hair.
Pros
- Hypoallergenic formula
- Smoothes itchy skin
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
- Sulfate-free
- Fragrance-free
- Cruelty–free
Cons
- None
"This conditioner feels soothing and imparts optimum hydration to my tresses. It leaves my hair looking smooth and shiny. I can manage my hair easily after consistent use of this conditioner. I like that it does not weigh down my hair. Instead, it adds volume to my hair."
5. Best Color Safe: Botanic Hearth Peppermint Hair Conditioner
The Botanic Hearth Hair Peppermint Conditioner is enriched with 100% pure peppermint oil. It cleanses your hair thoroughly and helps you flaunt nourished and healthy hair. The gentle combination of nurturing, moisturizing, and restorative natural ingredients boosts the volume and thickness of your hair. The peppermint, argan oil, tea tree oil, coconut oil, ginger, Vitamin E , and keratin protein in the formula help transform dry and damaged hair and promote hair growth. The refreshing scent of this restorative deep conditioner can attract the crowd’s attention all day long. This color-safe intense keratin treatment-based conditioner is ideal for getting manageable hair texture.
Pros
- 100% peppermint oil
- Refreshing scent
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Suitable for all hair types
- Vegan
Cons
- Thick and heavy texture
"I like the cool feeling of this formula. It nourishes my hair and smoothes frizzy strands instantly. It fights breakage and boosts hair growth. I also like its invigorating, floral scent. The conditioner does not make my hair sticky and washes off my hair quickly."
Goodbye dryness, hello a new boost of moisture to gorgeous hair! There you go, those were the 6 best alcohol-free conditioners that you must try this 2024. Still, need assistance with buying the right alcohol-free conditioner for improving hair elasticity and preventing breakage? Read our buying guide below.
Buying Guide
How To Choose The Right Alcohol-Free Conditioner?
Look out for the following features to buy the right alcohol-free conditioner:
Hair Type: If you think any conditioner can work on your hair type, then you are highly mistaken. Conditioners are formulated as per the hair type as well. So, if you have curly hair, a straight hair conditioner might not deliver favorable results.
Ingredients: Even if the conditioner is alcohol-free, you must inspect the other ingredients too. The idea is to not only keep the alcohol out but to swap it with intensely conditioning ingredients that can help tackle dryness and damaged hair.
Chemical-free: The conditioner should be chemical-free, mild, and gentle enough to treat damaged and dry hair. So, check if the conditioner has parabens, sulfates, phthalates, or other harsh chemicals that can worsen your hair condition.
Scalp Treatment: Along with your hair, you must pick a conditioner that’ll nourish your scalp too. Basically, if your scalp is healthy, it will automatically help your tresses heal and promote healthy hair growth.
Infographic: Tip To Apply An Alcohol-Free Conditioner
Most modern hair care products contain alcohol, which is detrimental since it causes the hair to dry out and become brittle. Investing in a high-quality alcohol-free conditioner is the way out of this predicament. Go for a revitalizing and invigorating alcohol-free conditioner for an energizing hair care experience. Check out the infographic below to learn how to use an alcohol-free conditioner the right way.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
Conditioners are essential hair care products that keep your hair groomed. But unfortunately, most conditioners are loaded with alcohol that can cause allergic reactions and make your hair dry, brittle, and lifeless over time. So you need to invest in alcohol-free hair conditioners with a hydrating and detangling formula filled with nourishing ingredients to moisturize your hair and make it soft and shiny. The Shea Moisture Strengthen & Restore Conditioner offers frizz-control without weighing the hair down, while the Bioken M72 Ceramide Leave-In Treatment has a pH-balanced formula for extra moisture-balancing effect. On the other hand, people with dry and dehydrated hair can try the Ginger Milk BE HONEST Leave-In Conditioner. These products nourish your hair, moisturize it, and detangle the hair strands, making it imperative that you invest in weightless and non-greasy conditioners that make your hair soft. Also, applying them on slightly damp hair gives the best results!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do All Conditioners Have Alcohol?
Yes, most of the conditioners have alcohol as it helps retain the natural moisture. So, if you have dry or damaged hair, you must opt for alcohol-free conditioners only.
Is the Alcohol in Conditioners Bad for Your Hair?
It depends on your hair type. If you have normal or oily hair, then alcohol will strip away the excess oil and retain the natural moisture. However, the process may reverse if you have damaged or dry hair as it will end up drying or damaging even more.
Why is Isopropyl Alcohol in Conditioners?
Isopropyl Alcohol is primarily used in shampoos, conditioners, and other cosmetics for its drying effect. Hence, it is not advisable for those with dry, damaged, or brittle hair.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Krati Darak, the author of this article, has a keen interest in trying out haircare products that keep your hair strong and healthy. She understands how conditioners with alcohol leave your hair frizzy, dry, and do more harm than good. She curated this list of the best alcohol-free conditioners after conducting thorough research. She checked user reviews and feedback on trusted online forums and collated this list of the top alcohol-free conditioners. They contain organic ingredients that hydrate your hair and keep it strong.
Read full bio of Jill Turnbull
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